Monday, February 25, 2013

Al Mezan25-2-2013At approximately 5:00 am on Friday 25 February 2013, Israeli naval
vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats
off the coast northwest of Al Waha resort—near the maritime
border—northwest of Beit Lahiya, North Gaza district. No Casualties or
injuries were reported.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Al Mezan24-2-2013At approximately 7:00 pm on Sunday 24 February 2013, Israeli naval
vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats
off the coast northwest of Al Waha resort—near the maritime
border—northwest of Beit Lahiya, North Gaza district. No Casualties or
injuries were reported.

Al Mezan24-2-2013At approximately 5:45 am on Sunday 24 February 2013, Israeli naval
vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats
off the coast northwest of Al Waha resort—near the maritime
border—northwest of Beit Lahiya, North Gaza district. No Casualties or
injuries were reported.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Al Mezan23-2-2013At approximately 7:00 pm on Saturday 23 February 2013, Israeli naval
vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats
off the coast northwest of Al Waha resort—near the maritime
border—northwest of Beit Lahiya, North Gaza district. No Casualties or
injuries were reported.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Al Mezan22-2-2013At approximately 6:00 am on Friday 22 February 2013, Israeli naval
vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats
off the coast northwest of Al Waha resort—near the maritime
border—northwest of Beit Lahiya, North Gaza district. No Casualties or
injuries were reported.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

At
approximately 9:30 am on Thursday 21 February 2013, Israeli naval
vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats
off the coast northwest of Al Waha resort—near the maritime border—west
of Beit Lahiya, North Gaza district.

According
to Al Mezan’s field information, a large Israeli boat and two
inflatable small boats approached one Palestinian boat and opened fire
at it. As a result, Ayman Adnan Kabaja, 35, sustained two bullet wounds
in the right leg. The Israeli boats then sailed to the west. Ayman’s
colleagues took him to Shifa Hospital to receive medical treatment.
Ayman is from Shatee’ refugee camp in Gaza City.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Al Mezan20-2-2013At approximately 6:00 am on Wednesday 20 February 2013, Israeli naval
vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats
off the coast northwest of Al Waha resort—near the maritime border—west
of Beit Lahiya, North Gaza district. No casualties or injuries were
reported.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR)
condemns the Israeli Navy's escalation of attacks against Palestinian fishermen
in the Gaza Strip and expresses its deep concern for such escalation, which
resulted in arresting two fishermen and confiscating their boat today.

According to PCHR's investigations, at
approximately 10:15 on Monday, 19 February 2013, an Israeli gunboat attacked a
Palestinian fishing boat, boarding 2 fishermen, sailing 1 nautical miles off
al-Sundaniya shore in the northern Gaza Strip. The Israeli soldiers fired
directly at the boat, cordoned it and ordered the fishermen on board to take
their clothes off, jump into the water and swim towards the gunboat. Two
fishermen were arrested: Mohammed Shihda Khalil Sa'd Allah (60) and his son,
Mahmoud (23), from Jabalya town in the north of the Gaza Strip. The
Israeli forces confiscated their fishing boat as well. Immediately after capturing them, the Israeli
forces handcuffed the fishermen, blindfolded them and transported them to
Ashdod seaport. Both fishermen are still under arrest.

It should be noted that this incident occurred
at approximately 1 nautical mile, which is within the 6-nautical-mile limit
allowed by the Israeli forces for the Palestinian fishermen to sail and fish
at, under the terms of the truce deal signed between Israel and the Palestinian
armed groups under Egyptian and international auspices on 22 November 2012.

1. Calls for immediately stopping the policy of
chasing and arresting Palestinian fishermen, and allowing them to sail and fish
freely;

2. Demands compensation for the fishermen for
the physical and material damage caused to them and their property as a result
of these violations;

3.Calls upon the international community,
including the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949
Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of war, to intervene
immediately to stop the Israeli violations against the Palestinian fishermen,
and to allow them to sail and fish freely in the Gaza sea.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Al Mezan19-2-2013At approximately 10:30 am on Tuesday 19 February 2013, Israeli naval
vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats
off the coast northwest of Al Waha resort—near the maritime border—west
of Beit Lahiya, North Gaza district. In their affidavits to Al Mezan, one of the fishermen stated that a
big Israeli boat and two inflatable boats surrounded one Palestinian
fishing boat, opened fire, and then forced two fishermen to take off
their clothes and swim towards them. The IOF confiscated the boat and
arrested Mahmoud Mousa Sa’adallah and Mohammed Shehda Sa’adallah (23 and
50 respectively). They were about 400 one nautical mile way from the
coastline and about 400 meters away from the illuminated buoys which
form a line demarcating the no-go zone for Palestinian fishermen.

Monday, February 18, 2013

At approximately 11:00 am on Monday 18 February 2013, Israeli naval
vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats
off the coast about three nautical miles opposite As-Sudaniya area west
of North Gaza district. According to Al Mezan’s field investigation,
the IOF ships surrounded one Palestinian fishing boat, opened fire, and
then forced five fishermen to take off their clothes and to stand at the
front of the boat. As a result of the Israeli firing, Abdel Razeq Mahmoud Jarbou’, 16,
sustained bullet wound in the right leg and Abdullah Mas’oud Al Ghoul,
24, sustained bullet wound in the left leg. They were admitted to Shifa
Hospital to receive medical treatment.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Al Mezan11-2-2013At approximately 8:30 pm on Monday 11 February 2013, Israeli naval
vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats
off the coast northwest of Al Waha resort—near the maritime border—west
of Beit Lahiya, North Gaza district. No casualties or injuries were
reported.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

At approximately 10:00 am on Tuesday 10 February 2013, Israeli naval
vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats
off the coast opposite As-Sudaniya area west of North Gaza district.
According to Al Mezan’s field investigation, the IOF ships surrounded
one Palestinian fishing boat, opened fire, and then forced four
fishermen to take off their clothes and swim towards them. The IOF
confiscated the boat and arrested Amjad Tareq Baker, 20; his brothers
Hitham and ‘Awad (22 and 16 respectively); and Thabet Mohammed Baker,
16. At approximately 5:00 pm on the same day, the IOF released the
fishermen at Erez crossing but continued to hold their boat

Friday, February 8, 2013

GAZA, (PIC)-- The Palestinian fishermen
have been subjected during January to 15 Israeli violations in Gaza
sea, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights revealed in a report
published on Friday.The center said in its report that the
Palestinian fishermen were exposed to 15 violations carried out by the
Israeli Navy between January 1 and January 31, where 3 fishermen were
arrested, in addition to the confiscation of their boat.PCHR considered the Israeli attacks on the
Palestinian fishermen in Gaza as a flagrant violation to the
humanitarian laws and the international human rights law that protects
the life of civilians and respects their rights in accordance with
article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 6 of
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.The report stressed that the Palestinian fishermen did not pose a threat to the Israeli Navy to attack them.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Today´s press conference
in support of Palestinian farmers and fishermen held in the port of Gaza
City launched several days of activities leading up to the
International Day of Action for the Boycott of Israeli Agricultural
Products on Saturday 9th February. Speakers were from the Boycott
National Committee, the student boycott movement in Gaza, the Union of
Agricultural Work Committees, PNGO and International Action for
Palestine.

"The boycott of Israeli agricultural exports will remain an essential strategyas long as Palestinian farmers cannot export their produce due to closureand blockade. It must continue as long as Palestinian farmers cannotaccess their own land and work on it in safety, whilst Israeli corporationsprofit from stolen Palestinian land." - International Action for Palestine

On Wednesday 6th of February at 10 a.m. in the Gazaport, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees and
International Action for Palestine, invite you to a press conference announcing
the International Day of Action in solidarity with Palestinian farmers and
fishermen on Saturday 9th February. The Day of Action, called by Palestinian agricultural organisations and the Palestinian BDS
National Committee, will launch worldwide boycott
campaigns of Israeli agricultural products and corporations, in light of their deep complicity in Israel’s ongoing violations of international law and Palestinian human rights. Thousands
of people around the world in dozens of countries will participate on the 9th February and Gaza will host events to support the campaigns throughout
the week.

At the press conference several organisations, fishermen and farmers will
speak first-hand on the impact of the incessant aggression and
blockade on the livelihoods of Gazan farmers and fishermen, and ask people of
conscience in Gaza and beyond to boycott, divest and sanction from Israeli
agricultural products. We´ll also present the events that will be organized in
the following days, prior to the International Day of Action on
Saturday.

The conference will also include the public presentation of International
Action for Palestine, a group formed by international volunteers that works
closely with Palestinian organizations and individuals to support the rights of
farmers, fishermen and ordinary citizens in the face of Israeli occupation.

After the press conference fishermen and activists will participate in an
action in the port. Fishermen and farmers will be also available for interviews
after the event is finished.

Events of the Week

Wednesday 6th February: Press
conference in Gaza´s Port. Presentation of International Action for Palestine
group to the public, and action with fishermen.
Thursday 7th February: Rally/march through Gaza City.
Friday 8th February: Interviews with local media (radio, TV). Any media interested should contact us through the
numbers given below.Saturday 9th February: March with
farmers near the buffer zone, planting of olive trees.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

The
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) documented 15 attacks launched by
the Israeli Occupation Forces against Palestinian fishermen during the
reporting period (1– 31 January 2013),[1]
including 14 shooting incidents and 1 chase operation which led to the arrest
of 3 fishermen and the confiscation of their boat.

Violation of the Right to Life and Security of Persons

Israel’s attacks against Palestinian fishermen
in the Gaza Strip constitutes a flagrant violation of international
humanitarian and human rights law, especially the right to life and security of
the person, in accordance with Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, to which the State of Israel is a party. Israeli forces
perpetrated violations against Palestinian fishermen in the sea when these
fishermen did not pose any threat to Israeli naval troops. The fishermen
were practicing their right to work and seeking their livelihood within the
territorial waters of the Gaza Strip when the Israeli forces attacked them.

First: Firing at Fishing Boats in the Waters off
the Gaza Strip

During the reporting period, PCHR documented 14 cases in which Israeli
forces fired at Palestinian fishermen in the sea off the Gaza shore; as a
result, a fishing boat was completely damaged, an engine was damaged and 3
boats were partially damaged. These attacks took place within the 6
nautical miles allowed for fishermen to sail and fish in, according to the
ceasefire agreement signed between Israel and Palestinian armed groups under
Egyptian and international auspices.

Second: Arresting Fishermen

During the reporting period, PCHR documented incidents in which the
Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinian fishermen while fishing approximately 4 nautical
miles off the shore of the Gaza Valley, northwest of Nussirat refugee camp in
Central Gaza governorate.

·On
15 January
2013, Israeli forces arrested 3 fishermen, identified as: Mohammed
Mattar Baker
(49); Hazem Hamdan Baker (40); Mohammed Samir Baker (20), from Gaza
City, while
fishing approximately 4 nautical miles off the Gaza Valley shore,
northwestern
of Nussirat refugee camp in the Central Gaza governorate. They were
transported to Ashdod seaport. The fishermen were subject to
investigation
before being released at approximately 16:00 on the same day through
Beit
Hanoun "Erez" crossing point.
The Israeli forces confiscated their fishing boat. (For more details on
the confiscated boat,
read below).

Third: Confiscation of Fishing Boats

PCHR has followed up Israel’s violations
against Palestinian fishermen in the waters off the Gaza Strip, particularly
the confiscation of fishing boats. During the reporting period, the Israeli
forces confiscated 1 fishing boat.

·On 15 January
2013, Israeli naval forces, stationed off the Gaza Valley shore, Central Gaza,
chased and confiscated a fishing boat belonging to the sons of Hamdan Mattar
Baker, from Gaza, while sailing at approximately 4 nautical miles off the Gaza
Valley shore. Onboard the boat was 3
fishermen who were arrested, interrogated and later released. As of 5 February 2013 their fishing boat was
still confiscated

Month

Persons Fired
At

Persons
Killed

Persons Injured

Arrest
Incidents

Number
of Detainees

Number
of Fishing Boats Confiscated

Fishing Equipment Damaged

Total

January

2013

14

-

-

1

3

1

-

15

Table of Israeli Attacks on
Palestinian Fishermen in Gaza City

(1 – 31 January 2013)

[1]This fact sheet issued by PCHR is the thirteenth of its
kind. It addresses violations carried out by the Israeli forces against
Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip while practicing their work. For
more details, see Fact Sheets at: www.pchrgaza.org.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Al Mezan4-2-2013At approximately 6:30 am on Monday 4 February 2013, Israeli naval
vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats
off the coast northwest of Al Waha resort—near the maritime
border—northwest of Beit Lahiya, North Gaza district. No casualties or
injuries were reported.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

The
Israeli naval forces continued to fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the Gaza
Strip.

During the reporting period, Israeli
naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats in the northern Gaza
Strip on 5 occasions. No casualties were
reported.

Wednesday,
23 January 2013

At
approximately 06:15, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort in the
northern Gaza Strip opened fire heavily at Palestinian fishing boats for 15
minutes at a distance of 5 nautical miles off the shore. As a result, the fishermen were frightened
and fled for fear of being arrested or wounded. Neither casualties nor material damage were
reported.

Thursday,
24 January 2013 At
approximately 06:00, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort in the
northern Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily at the Palestinian fishing boats for
15 minutes at a distance of 5 nautical miles off the shore. As a result, the fishermen were frightened
and fled for fear of being arrested or wounded. Neither casualties nor material damage were
reported.

Friday, 25 January
2013 At
approximately 06:30, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort in the
northern Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily at the Palestinian fishing boats for
20 minutes at a distance of 5 nautical miles off the shore. As a result, the fishermen were frightened
and fled for fear of being arrested or wounded. Neither casualties nor material
damage were reported.

Saturday, 26 January
2013 At approximately 06:30, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha
resort in the northern Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily at the Palestinian fishing
boats for 10 minutes at a distance of 5 nautical miles off the shore. As a result, the fishermen were frightened
and fled for fear of being arrested or wounded. Neither casualties nor material damage were
reported.

Sunday, 27 January 2013

At
approximately 07:00, the Israeli gunboats stationed off al-Waha resort in the
northern Gaza Strip, opened fire heavily at the Palestinian fishing boats for
20 minutes at a distance of 5 nautical miles off the shore. As a result, the fishermen were frightened
and fled for fear of being arrested or wounded.Neither casualties nor material
damage were reported.

Al Mezan3-2-2013At approximately 8:45 am on Sunday 3 February 2013, Israeli naval
vessels patrolling the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats
off the coast northwest of Al Waha resort—near the maritime
border—northwest of Beit Lahiya, North Gaza district. No casualties or
injuries were reported.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Following disengagement from the Gaza Strip in
September 2005, Israel unilaterally and illegally established a so-called
“buffer zone”, an area prohibited to Palestinians along the land and sea
borders of the Gaza Strip. The precise area designated by Israel as a “buffer
zone” is not clear and this Israeli policy is typically enforced with live
fire. The establishment of the ‘buffer zone’ is illegal under both Israeli and
international law.

Preventing Palestinians from accessing their lands and
fishing areas violates numerous provisions of international human rights law,
including the right to work, the right to an adequate standard of living, and
the right to the highest attainable standard of health. Enforcing the “buffer
zone” through the use of live fire often results in, inter alia, the direct targeting of civilians and/or indiscriminate
attacks, both of which constitute war crimes.

Following
the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in November 2012, a ceasefire agreement
was brokered by the Egyptian government. Following this agreement the
Israeli-imposed fishing limit was expanded from 3 to 6 nautical miles. There
have been conflicting messages about the parameters of the “buffer zone” on
land, which has resulted in an increase of risk for the safety of civilians and
their property in the border areas.

Dimensions

On land, inside Palestinian territory

Distance from the border fence, up to which access is permitted:

·Second Intifada (2000): 150 metres

·According to Israel (2010) : 300 metres

·22 November 2012: unclear parameters

·25 February 2013: 100 metres

·11 March 2013: 300 metres

In reality, attacks against civilians take place
anywhere up to approximately 1.5 kilometres inside the border fence.
This constitutes approximately
17% of the total territory of the Gaza Strip.

At sea, off the coast of the Gaza Strip

Distance from the shore, up to which access is permitted:

·Oslo Accords (1994): 20 nautical miles (nm)

·Bertini Commitment (2002): 12 nm

·October 2006: 6 nm

·End of 2007 : 3 nm

·22 November 2012: 6 nm

In addition, access is consistently denied in the
following areas:

·1.5 nm in the north along the maritime boundary
with Israel

·1 nm in the south along the maritime boundary
with Egypt

Impact

On land

·Approximately 27,000 dunums, 35% of the Gaza
Strip's agricultural land, can only be accessed under high personal risk,
as Israeli attacks may result in injury or death of civilians.

·95% of the restricted area is arable land.

·After the evacuation of settlements (2005) and ‘Operation
Cast Lead’ (2008-2009), the majority of Palestinian families living in the
border areas abandoned their land and homes.

At sea

·Palestinians are completely prevented from accessing
85% of the Palestinian maritime areas recognised in the 1994 Gaza
Jericho Agreement.

·Approximately 3,700 fishermen work under high
personal risk every day at sea.

·Approximately 8,200 persons work in the fishing
industry.

·Approximately 65,000 persons, including
individuals who work in the fishing industry and their dependents, are
affected by the “buffer zone” restrictions at sea.

·The area near the coast is markedly over-fished.

Attacks

January 2013

Attacks

Total

“Buffer zone” on land

“Buffer zone” at sea

Shelling

1

1

0

Shooting

37

24

13

Incursions

3

3

0*

Land levelling

0

0

0

Total incidents

41

28

13

* These numbers do
not represent all the incursions into Palestinian waters by Israeli naval
forces, only the reported incidents. More often, the reported incidents involve
shooting, injury and/or killing.